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The Archdiocese of Boston announced Sunday that Rev. James E. Gaudreau of St. Joseph’s in Lynn is alleged to have abused a child in 2006. The incident was only recently reported to the church.

The Archdiocese says they notified the police and have begun an investigation into the complaint.

Attendants of the church, meanwhile, are staunch in their defense of Gaudreau.

Kevin Morfa, a high school sophomore that helps in the church rectory, doubts the victim’s story since it took six years to come forward.

“I believe this is all a lie because the father does so much for the community and people don’t like it,” he said.

Gaudreau has since been placed on paid administrative leave.

In a statement, the Archdiocese says, “The decision to place Fr. Gaudreau on administrative leave represents the Archdiocese’s commitment to the welfare of all parties and does not represent a determination of Fr. Gaudreau’s guilt or innocence as it pertains to this allegation.”